Subspecies: There are as many as 46 races of Common Barn owl recognized
across the world. There is only one race recognized in North America. As many as
5 more are described from Central America (1 in the Bahamas, 1 in Cuba, 1 from
the Isle of Pines, 1 from Hispanola, and 1 from Guatemala south to the Panama
Canal). The ranges of these are not well defined and also need review so are not
listed here.T. a. pratincola is found in S. W. British Columbia south and east
through most of the U. S. (except some of the northern-central states) and
Mexico. This is the largest race (physical size) of Barn Owl in the world.

Description: The Barn Owl is North America's only member of the family Tytonidae
(all other owls are from the Strigidae family) sometimes called the
monkey-faced owl family. This is a medium sized owl that lacks ear tufts. Unlike
all other owls it has a distinctive heart shaped facial disk. It also has
relatively long legs (the only other owl with long legs is the Burrowing Owl).
This is primarily a nocturnal owl although it has relatively small eyes in
comparison to the other owls. The females tend to be slightly darker overall
than the males. White facial disk with brown to orange-brown border. It has dark
eyes and an ivory colored bill. The under parts are white with a light pale
orange or yellow wash with small gray to brown dots. The upper parts are a pale
orange or yellow with a mix of light to dark gray also with small dots.
Young: After the loss of their initial hatchling down, the juveniles are
identical to the adults except for possibly more heavily spotted.

Habitat: The Barn Owl's favorite habitat consists of an open low-lying
area, preferably below 750-ft. elevation, with an abundant vole population.
Although the owl has an extensive range it is uncommon higher in the mountains.
Grasslands in areas of milder climates with old buildings or hollow trees for
perching and nesting may support large concentrations. The owl also avoids areas
with low mean January temperatures, densely forested and intensively cultivated
areas.

Food and Feeding: The Barn Owl's diet is dominated with mice, rats,
voles, gophers, and shrews. In smaller amounts it will also take a vast array of
other food including larger insects, reptiles, fish, and smaller birds. Normally
the Barn Owl actively hunts and often follows a favorite course or returns to
favorite hunting areas. Although it will pounce on prey from a perch also it
normally flies low (less than 10 ft.) from the ground and dives onto prey with
talons extended. It has high auditory acuity and can catch prey in complete
darkness. Although the Barn Owl is highly nocturnal it can be observed hunting
in daylight.

Breeding: The Barn Owl nests in a variety of places. Nest sites include
hollows or natural cavities in trees, old man made structures (barns, abandoned
wells, chimneys, old buildings...), caves, cliffs, and even on the ground. Two
broods are common and breeding season lasts March-August. Broods can vary from 2
- 16 eggs (fledging success declines sharply after 6 eggs) although 5 - 7 is
most common. Incubation is from 29 - 34 days and the young fledge at about 56-62
days. The young are dependent on the parents for an additional 2 months. In the
case of duel broods, the female may begin laying eggs before the youngest of the
first clutch has fledged.

Movements and Life Span: Barn Owls in southern latitudes tend to be
sedentary except during harsh winters. Juvenile dispersals account for most
southern population movements although some wandering also may occur with adult
birds. Juvenile dispersals are generally limited to 15 - 60 miles. Northern
nesting birds frequently move more than 200 miles south and rarely as far as 600
miles. Barn Owls have been recorded to live up to 17 years of age.